“Why, is she that beautiful or that strong?” he smirked

“Neither and both.” Elsabeth replied, matching his smirk. “She is a lovely woman, not gorgeous, not stunning, but she has an inner strength and beauty that tends to mesmerize us. She is open and welcoming to any ally of her clan, including beings that most others would shun and fear.”

“You mean beings like the Nosferatu?” Drew asked quietly

“Among others. She has with her now the Garou, several clans of Kindred, Sidhe, Elf, even a few demon spawn and changelings.” Elsabeth grinned. “She obviously does not base her judgements upon physical beauty, or on any traditional views of ‘morals’. Actually, now that I think of it, I’m not really sure ‘what’ she bases her judgements on.”

Drew laughed softly as he shook his head, “Sounds like my sort of woman; pretty, accepting and obviously not right in the head. And if it comes to a battle, my lovely Elsabeth, what camp shall you side with?”

The Toreador primogen smirked knowingly at Drew, “The same one as always, dearest, the winning side……my side.”

Severus sighed deeply as he tried to convince himself to wake up and get out of bed, not that he really had any reason to. Catri wasn’t here, not in the school, not in his life, and most certainly not in his bed. As if to confirm this, Sev rolled over onto his side, flinging his arm over where she would lay and froze as he felt a body there.……….. His eyes turned as large as saucers as he realized not only was Catri NOT in his bed with him, but someone else WAS.

A wave of shock and panic shot through Severus as last night replayed in his mind. The battle at the pit with Gustavas, escorting Minerva back with the others, Cash bursting into his chambers, Minerva coming to his aid… no where in his recollection was Rick. The last he had seen of him was just as he apparated to Fernglennis to give Catri his letters. So how on earth did Rick end up in ‘his’ bed, and more importantly, why.

Still staring intently at Rick, Severus slowly moved his fingers to his own neck, feeling for any puncture marks or other tale tell signs. A large part of himself felt horrible for thinking such a thing of Rick, but another, more cautious part, reminded him of what he had witnessed time and time again were vampires were concerned. Wondering if Rick could hear the pounding of his heart, it certainly sounded nothing short of deafening to his own ears, Sev tried to compose himself once more, forcing his mind to focus on anything but the thought of blood and vampires.

Looking over at Rick to see if the sound of his heart had awoken him, Sev realized for the first time how angelic Rick looked. His sable hair and long dark lashes contrasted so beautifully against his ivory skin, he looked like a Caravaggio portrait, utterly perfect in his immortal flawlessness. A soft smile spread across Sev’s lips as he imagined how happy Catri must have been to see Rick last night, she probably ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck. She seemed to greet all of her friends with such warmth and exuberance. He wondered how she would greet him, would she hug him with joyful enthusiasm, or perhaps a softer, more timid embrace, or then again, if he were very fortunate, she would greet him with a passionate kiss and a look of longing in her eyes.

Sev found himself staring at Rick as he longed to wake him and find out exactly how Catri had responded to his letters. Was she happy? Relieve? Angry? Or was she so busy with Potter and Black that she couldn’t be bothered one way or another? Sev’s heart and mind felt as it they would explode simultaneously as every possible scenario played through his mind at once.

“Relax and sleep, Severus” Rick whispered, “you need to sleep as much as I do, even more if truth be told.”

“Rick?” Sev gasped, “I thought you were asleep.”

“I was, and I want to be again. I’ll tell you everything that happened later“ he promised as he yawned sleepily. “You don’t mind me sharing your bed, do you? I’ll leave if I make you uneasy.”

Severus hesitated, now would be the perfect time to say something, but as much as he hated to admit it to himself, much less anyone else. It felt nice to know Rick was there, that he wasn’t alone in the world anymore, that he had a friend, someone he could actually trust. “No, not really, in fact” he whispered “its oddly comforting.” He gasped as he felt Rick give his hand a quick squeeze as he smiled happily at him. “Rick, before you fall asleep again, tell me one thing, …will she come back?”

Rick smirked knowingly, “I can’t say for certain if she will be allowed to return or not, but I can promise you this, Severus. If she cannot come here, then you will go there. Aunt Orpha is quite interested in meeting you, she’ll come get you herself if it comes down to it. She must have asked me nearly a hundred questions about you while I was there. Besides, it appears the letters she left you were tampered with, she was very upset you didn‘t join them for the holidays.” he added as he drifted off to sleep once more.

Severus smiled warmly as he thought of going to Catri’s home. He imagined it must be a happy, warm and very loving place to be, after all, what else could it be with people like her and Rick there. Even Cash, for all his short comings loved his family with a fierceness that never ceased to amaze Sev. He sighed as he found himself wondering yet again what his life would have been like if he had been fortunate enough to grow up in a family where love was given and received so freely. Sev was certain that, at the very least, he would never of had to suffer the terrible loneliness and self doubt that accompanied him every day of his life.

After all, look at how much different his life had been since Catri and Rick had entered into it. The old Severus Snape would have sooner killed a vampyre as shared his room, much less his very bed with him. But now, he felt strangely content to know that Rick was so close to him, although he would have been even more content had it been Catri who was here. And what of Rick’s last comment, ‘someone had tampered with Catri’s letters’, did that mean that she actually invited him to join her? Did it mean he still had a chance?

But even if she did still care about him, what about ‘her son’. Potter had quickly taken over nearly every aspect of Catri’s life, all but monopolizing it from end of classes to curfew. He smirked as he imagined that Harry must feel as if he were in heaven. For a boy who had known nothing but isolation and contempt his entire life to now be the centre of Catri’s world…. If only it weren’t for the boy’s father and god father, he would accept Harry even if only for Lily and Catri’s sakes, but those men, Potter and Black. He could feel his blood boil at the mere thought of them.

Trying to think about anything but Black and his envious position within Catri’s home, Severus instead turned his attentions to the ceiling, hoping to stare his resentment and anger away by ‘losing’ himself in the flickering shadows as they danced upon the uneven stones. He shook his head and smiled as he realized that Rick must have stoked the fire before falling asleep, it was such a simple kindness, but one that spoke volumes…...

Merlin narrowed his eyes as he watched Rick sleeping so peacefully next to the Professor Snape he had heard so much about over the past few weeks. Well, he wasn’t much to look at, but then again, neither was Sirius when he first came to Fernglennis. “Orpha, I hope you know what you’re doing.” Merlin sighed as he moved closer to the bed, waiting for the professor’s eyes to finally close. As it was, they were drooping lower and lower with each passing minute. Trying to pass time as he waited for Snape’s inevitable descent into slumber, Merlin silently strolled around the professor’s room.

He took notice of the complete lack of family photos, or any ‘family’ memorabilia of any sort, he had been positive Kitty had mentioned him having a daughter. In fact, he seemed to recall seeing the adorable little girl himself when he last checked up on Severus Snape sixteen years ago….sixteen years, had it truly been that long since he had looked in on the boy? Looking and seeing the man had finally fallen back asleep, Merlin approached him silently, holding his hand directly above Sev’s heart. He smiled softly as he saw the all too familiar golden glow rise from the man’s chest. “Its in the blood, it always goes back to the blood” he sighed as he shook his head.

It looked like Kitty was right after all, trust his god daughter to accidentally find what everyone else had been searching for. Now, all he had to do was convince the man to join them for dinner in Fernglennis sometime soon and see how he handled the clan…….

“I am telling you, Orpha, I think we need to send them away.” Luke insisted, rather adamantly, “This is getting more and more out of hand as the days go by. First it was little things, a few stray snowballs, a sudden dip in the field where an ankle could be turned, then Calli having her little accident near the barn and nearly taking Siri out with her. Not to mention what ‘s been going on with my sister.” he added as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I have NEVER seen her so weepy and emotionally unstable as I have over the past week and a half. And don’t even think to tell me its ‘hormones’ or anything like that. I grew up with her, I can tell hormones from turmoil, besides, if it was just hormones she’d have eaten all the chocolate she could get her hands on. And as it is, she’s hardly eating anything at all now.”

“In fact, she’s lost several pounds and I am NOT at all happy about it, and heaven forbid father should see her like this. Its not right, and its not natural. I say they go and they go now.”

“Luke, you can’t be serious” Tris countered. “A few accidents do not a conspiracy make. You cannot jump to conclusions like that…”

“A few accidents?! Fine, Tris, lets just disregard those ’accidents’ and the lump the size of an emu egg on Duncan’s forehead.” Luke said flatly, “And let us turn instead, to the events of this morning. Kitty is fine at breakfast, a little tired, a little pale, granted, but in good spirits. She goes to her room to read some letters Rick brought back with him, she’s still fine. In fact, according to Amber and Lia, she was smiling and joking with them until they started opening that stupid box.”

“Yes, the box…” Orpha deadpanned, “I don’t suppose anyone knows how that got into my closet? And the date on the box was from over fifteen years ago…”

“And it was full of letters from her wizard friends, ‘including’ Sirius.” Luke finished for her. “I don’t care what you say, Tris. Someone has been orchestrating heartache and pain for my baby sister, and it stops now. I am the oldest, an in the absence of our father, “I“ make the decisions…. Don‘t you dare give me that look, Tris.” Luke warned.

“I’m a lot older AND a lot meaner than you, Luke dear, don’t push your luck.” Tris warned, becoming more and more edgy as she attempted to get Orpha alone and tell her what she had seen inside of Kitty. She had half a mind to blurt it out right now, but that was all Luke needed to send him completely over the edge.

“I don’t care how old or mean you think you are. This is my sister, and obviously she means more to me than to you, or you wouldn’t be sitting here arguing with me. You would be agreeing and finding out how soon we can get her somewhere safe.”

Before the argument had the chance to get any further out of control, Orpha stood up and stared intently at Tris and Luke. “That is quite enough! You both love her, just as I do, and Luke, despite your good intentions, “I” am the one who will be making the decisions regarding your sister.” she paused to see if he would offer her any arguments, but it appeared he was at least waiting to see what she would say. “I do agree with you, someone has been conspiring to keep her unbalanced, alone, and quite possibly trying to harm her as well. I’ve thought this for some time now, which is why I contacted Deo last week.”

Orpha had to pause again as Tris gasped and Luke smiled broadly. “But Orpha, he’s not even clan” Tris insisted.

“That is the point, Tris.” Orpha replied calmly. “It is obvious that ’someone’ within the clan does NOT want to see a liaison between Kitty and the wizarding world. So the safest place for her is somewhere that our clan does not hold absolute power. Dia is the perfect place, it is small, secluded, and run by Deo, who would do anything to stay in the good graces of our clan. He will see to it that Kitty and the others remain safe, no matter what or WHO thinks otherwise.”

“Do you honestly think she is just going to leave because you say so?” Tris asked Orpha, only to be answered by Luke.

“MY sister?! Puh-leez, Hey, Kitty, what do you say to taking Sirius, Harry and a few of the kids to Greece, you know, fun, sun, …warmth….” he smirked as Orpha giggled. “She’ll have her bags packed before the sentence is even finished. Besides it will give us more time to figure out who is behind all of this and who the spy at the school is. And while she‘s there, she can visit with Mickey, in fact, I recall her telling me Tanta Minnie gave her presence to deliver to Mickey and the kids.”

“Oh, wonderful, we don’t have our hands full enough now, you want to send her to Michael McGonagall to boot. He’ll have her singing in that bar of his before he’s done. That is if he hasn‘t resorted to pirating again….” Tris sighed, smiling all the same

“Ah, Yes, the Mucky Duck, a wonderful place if ever there was one.” Duncan bellowed as he walked in on the conversation, holding a large bag of ice up to his forehead.

“How bad is it, Duncan?” Tris asked, wincing slightly as she pulled the ice away to look at the large lump. “Gheez…. What ‘did’ happen to you anyway?” she asked as she had him sit down so she could take a better look at the wound and tend to it properly.

“Didn’t Luke tell you? Sirius and I were supposed to go to the barn to let the chats out, you know with all the talk of possible intruders and all. Well, needless to say, Kitty’s situation needed his immediate attention, so Paddy and I went instead.” he explained, “All I can say is it’s a good thing Paddy has such great reflexes, or Edana would be an orphan right now.”

“What do you mean, an orphan” Tris asked as she froze to the spot, completely heedless to the thin trail of blood now dripping down Duncan’s face.

“Luke, help me with Tris” Orpha prodded gently, “I don’t think she realizes half of what’s been going on.” She sighed as she and Luke escorted Tris back to her seat, while Orpha moved to Duncan to continue healing his wound. She kept a careful eye on Tris as Luke explained one by one all the ‘accidents’ and ‘oddness’ that had plagued them over the past week.

“There you go, pumpkin” Orpha cooed as she placed a fresh gauze over Duncan’s injury, “it will be all better by morning, just like always.”

“Aunt Orpha, please, don’t call me pumpkin” Duncan sighed, “I’m not a little child anymore.”

Smirking playfully, Orpha nodded her head “Does that mean you don’t want a biscuit for being such a brave boy?” she winked, signalling for Duncan to join her as she walked to the other side of the kitchen.

“So, what is going on?” Duncan asked as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Orpha. “Tris is awfully quiet, and I can’t remember the last time I saw Luke so aggravated.”

Orpha nodded, “I honestly believe Tris was unaware of some of the more sinister pranks that have been played on our household. In fact, now that I think of it, none of them have happened in either her presence or mine. I doubt that is merely coincidence.”

“You think it Maharet, don’t you?” Duncan asked, knowingly. Seeing her nod, he grinned mirthlessly “So do we. Luke, Paddy, Bruid, Remus and I all had a little chat, we’ve been racking our brains, but she’s the only obvious choice. No one else here has any reason to harm one of our own, and no one outside the clan has enough power to do these things.” Turning to take another quick look at Tris and Luke, Duncan asked. “So, is Kitty going to Greece like Luke suggested? And has father answered Luke’s letter yet? Will he give his blessings?”………

Cash grinned wickedly as Shashe purred at his ankles. She had led he and Kara right to where Raul was sleeping - in Harry’s wardrobe in the Gryffindor tower. “Kara, you may want to wait outside, or at the very least, up against the wall and out of harms way. I’m not really sure how this is going to play out.” he thought to her as they both shifted back into more human forms.

“You and Fang said we stick together” Kara thought back. “I’ll wait over here, behind the bed, but I’m not going away, not unless its to bring Fang here.”

“Fair enough” Cash whispered, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek as he gently pushed her towards the far side of the bed and hopefully to safety. He hated to think that Raul may be the spy, but he couldn’t take anymore chances. Roel was hanging on by a sliver of a thread, he more than likely wouldn’t make it to the full moon. In his heart, Cash had accepted that he was going to lose his childer, a fact that made him determine to see to it that he never lost another member of his clan.

Taking off his leather jacket, Cash tossed it carelessly onto Harry’s bed as he rolled up his sleeves and smirked mirthlessly. With out a sound, Cash opened up the doors to the wardrobe, grabbing Raul by his shirt and yanking him out of the wardrobe. “Raul, Raul, Raul…tsk, tsk. What ever have you been up to?” Cash asked as he drug the shocked and dazed primogen across the floor of the dorm, coming to rest against the large stove that occupied the centre of the circular room. “Come on primogen, wakey-wakey, you have some serious explaining to do.”

“What?! Who ?!…. Cash?!” Raul stuttered as he tried to get his bearings, “What are you doing? Get your hands off of me, have you gone mad?” he blurted out as he tried to pry the Methuselah’s fingers off of himself.

“Mad?!” Cash replied, “I’m bloody well pissed is what I am. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out what happened?” he asked, tauntingly. “You risked everyone’s life! Minnie’s, Snape’s, even Mohrg’s. All of whom are under the protection of the clan, MY clan, Clan MacLeod. Yet you don’t seem to see fit to even include me in the festivities.” Cash twisted the cloth of Raul’s shirt tightly around his hand as he pulled the primogen several inches off of the floor and hissed. “It makes me wonder what else you haven’t told me.”

Raul could feel the blood in his veins turning to ice as Cash’s eyes glittered menacingly at him. If it were any of the others, even Mohrg, he would have been fine, after all, there were laws and traditions that they all obeyed. But not Cash, Raul knew that he would not be the first primogen Cash had killed, and he also knew no one would act against him, he wielded almost as much power as any prince. He also knew that once Cash told ‘his’ version of the story, everyone would consider any actions he may take as justified, they may even think that he, himself, was the spy.

“Well I’m going to have a hell of a hard time telling you anything with your hands around my throat, aren’t I?” Raul spat as he tried to escape Cash’s grip, but only managed to tear his shirt. “I’m warning you Cash, release me now!”

Cash gave a hollow laugh as he glared down at Raul. “Warning ME….that’s rich. Really, go one, pull the other one.” he added as he now lifted Raul off the floor so that their noses were practically touching. “I’ve had enough of the games, ‘primogen’, I’ve had enough of the lies. Tell me everything and tell me now.” he growled as his fingernails quickly extending into dangerous, curved claws.

Raul flinched as he saw Cash’s lips draw back into a snarl, the Methuselah was not joking around, not even a little bit. “Cash! Stop and think of what you are doing!” he yelled as he struck out, landing several blows squarely upon Cash, all to no avail.

“I haven’t done anything lately but think.” Cash replied as he threw Raul across the room, watching emotionlessly as the primogen hit the wall with a wet thud. “I’ve been thinking about my childer, dying in his bed, I’ve been thinking about my little angel and how her heart has been broken and abused, how her womb has been used as a proving ground for some damn prophecy, I’ve been thinking about her son and husband, how they were all but tortured to death. AND I’ve been thinking of how you turned my suspicions towards Fang and the Garou; they would be the last to betray us, only Gaz was untrustworty. I’ve also been thinking about how much you hate me and my authority. I’m awfully sorry if my clan listens to me before they listen to you, but I’ve kept them safe and whole for centuries, ……what have you done for them? What have you done for any of us? Olia is dead, Roel will be joining her, did you think to add Minnie or Snape to that list? Or maybe Rick, he’s a favourite of quite a few, you’d certainly get more of an emotional impact with him, wouldn’t you?” he snarled as he glowered down at Raul

“How DARE you! You arrogant, self serving, addled-headed twit!” Raul snarled back, “How dare you blame me for Roel! If you recall, ‘I’ wasn’t even there when you put your little plan into action.” he stated as he rose on his unsteady legs. “You are the one who didn’t see fit to include me in SEVERAL plans. And just in case I need to clarify this for you, I have no interest in the affairs of ANYONE’S womb. I’ll leave that to the experts, and YOUR mortal clan seems to be full of those.” Raul never even saw the blow that sent him sprawling across the floor………

Mac Lir stroked his beard thoughtfully as he replayed his recent conversation with Magnus. So it had finally happened, Maharet had finally pushed to many people too far. And then, to top it all off, Magnus had gotten an urgent letter from Luke as they had been talking. At first, Mac Lir had thought it was bad news, judging by the shocked and somewhat dumbfounded expression on Magnus’s face. But the look of shock soon turned to one of amazement, then of joy as he continued reading. Mac Lir smiled widely as he recalled the exact words Magnus had used. “Praise the maker, its finally happened. Not only has my baby finally found someone fit to spend her life with, it seems her brother’s are fond of him as well. And her son has referred to him as his ‘father’ on many occasions.”

Mac Lir didn’t have the heart to tell him he had already heard of this wizard, and from his own grandson’s lips, none the less. But if what Orpha had told him was any indication at all, the wizard was both strong-willed and kind-hearted, especially towards Catrianna and her son. If only she had brought him with her, this wizard was becoming more and more interesting to his mind. To have Kitty’s heart was a large step, but to win the approval of not only Orpha, but her brother’s as well. He laughed softly to himself, ‘her brother’s approval‘, it must have gone far beyond that point if they had written their father.

Mac Lir’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Leumadair closing the door of the study. “Back so soon, my son? I had thought it would take quiet a bit of convincing to make Aeranna call the sisterhood together.” He paused as he saw the strange look on his son’s face and the dishevelled clothes, “Leumadair?” he repeated as he rose from his chair and walked towards his son, concern evident in his voice.

“Don‘t ask Father, please…” Leuma sighed as he hung his head, his silvery-white hair obscuring his eyes. He sighed as he felt his father’s hand on his shoulder, squeezing it slightly as he tried to get a look at him. “It was just a miscommunication, Father, that’s all. I’m fine and the alliance is well.” he murmured as he tried to walk away.

“Leumadair? Why wouldn’t you be fine? Has she done something to you?” Mac Lir asked, refusing to release his grip on his son. “Leuma, answer me.” he added softly as his son let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders sloping as he did so. It was then that he noticed the bright red streaks on his son’s skin, streaks that resembled blood.

“No reason, father. Please, just let me be….” he knew it was all over when his father gasped. He must have seen what Aeranna had done to him. “Father……”

“Did that vampyre wench do this to you? Did she actually try to attack you?” Mac Lir asked, his voice growing louder and more angry as the sea around them churned dangerously.

“Yes…., she attacked me, but not in the way you are thinking.” Leuma admitted, “Apparently Shane had led her to believe my feelings towards her were more than …..friendly…. And apparently she’s been alone for quiet some time.” he added, a crimson blush on his face as he recalled the rather intense events of the past hour, including his hasty retreat back to Armagh.

“What? Leumadair, what in the name of……oh…” Mac Lir stated as he turned his son to face him and suddenly realized that his clothes were in more a state of disarray than he had originally noticed. His shirt was torn at the neck and untucked from his trousers, and speaking of trousers, his seemed to have a few buttons missing. “My son?”

“Father, please, not a word, not a single, solitary word.” Leuma pleaded as he rubbed his hand across the back of his neck, smearing the crimson lipstick that Mac Lir had originally mistaken for blood. “Let’s just say she was very happy and enthusiastic to see me, and she had already called the sisterhood, it seems we are not the only ones involved in this.”

“What?! Who else is aware…..and is there anything else I need to worry about?”

“IF there was, I wouldn’t be here.” Leuma groused, “I doubt I would have survived if I hadn’t run away, she has more hands than …..gods, I, Leumadair Lir, son of Mac Lir, running away from a woman. I feel so…so….”

“Shhh, you did the right thing, Leuma.” Mac Lir said softly. “It never does well to battle with a woman. If you win, you’re a bully and a brute, if you lose, you’re a weakling and a fool. There is no fighting with them, the only choices we have as men is running, agreeing, killing, or of course the last resort, marrying them.” he winked…..

Sirius smiled tenderly as he felt Cat snuggle against him, sighing softly as she slept in his arms. He could still see the tear stains on her face, but all in all, things were much better now, even her breathing had become more regulated and peaceful. Feeling it was finally safe to relax, Siri kissed her forehead as he got comfortable, he had the feeling they would be here for quite a while.

He felt himself drifting off as he thought of what sort of future they might have together. Try as he might, he just couldn’t imagine her staying with Snape, not as long as Harry was with her, and he knew she would never abandon Harry. He sighed as he gazed at the pictures on her dresser, smiling sweetly as he saw the photo of them together outside of her home in Hogsmeade. It had been years since he had been there, but he remembered it as if it was yesterday.

The little garden was full of honeysuckle, roses and nightstock, by day it was bright and buzzing with bees as they gathered the nectar of the sweet flowers; by night, it was fragrant and inviting, a perfect place for them to ’picnic’ under the moon. He soon found himself remembering Harry’s dream of the three of them, including a very pregnant Cat living in the home.

Closing his eyes, he imagined what the holidays would be like for them there. He held in a chuckle as he pictured Harry and Calli ice skating on the pond as Edana toddled through the snow, laughing and squealing as she threw the strange white material into the air and watched in land as her feet. Turing around, he could see Cat smiling out at them from the kitchen window as she finished baking another batch of biscuits. Siri felt his heart swelling with love and pride as he watched his family and thought about their newest addition, growing very quickly inside of Cat.

Before he knew it, the sun had set and they were all heading back inside to the welcoming warmth of home and hearth. His cheeks were all but burning from the cold, but he was still smiling, even as he heard Cat reminding the older children to take off their boots and hand the skated by the door. He had placed Edana, his little firebolt, down in front of the fireplace as he undid her snow suit, pleading with her to stay still for the fifteen seconds it took to undo her. Only to laugh as she all but leapt out of the suit to rush on unsteady legs to Cat, who quickly caught her in her arms, giving her a large hug as she did so.

“Now, Cat, don’t go lift her,” he warned, ‘you remember what Siobhan told you, any unnecessary strain and that’s the end of that. And I personally do NOT feel comfortable delivery a baby, so please, gra…Please. Please. Please…listen to her and let me..”

“Oh, Sirius, honestly” she sighed, “its not like I’m lugging a sack of potatoes, I just want to cuddle with my little girl.”

“Then sit on the sofa and let me bring her to you.” he insisted, shooting Calli and Harry a look as he heard them exchanged a few comments regarding ‘mother hens’. “Come here you little rascal” he teased Edana as she squealed and covered her eyes. “oh no you don’t, Daddy sees you.” ………

‘Daddy’ it was a word he once thought he would never be called, and oddly enough he still wasn’t, not really, not in the truest ‘definition’ of the word, but he certainly was in the truest ‘meaning’ of the word. Harry, his godson, had all but become his own flesh and blood, in looks, in behaviour…it was positively frightening at times. And Calli, she had taken to him so easily, although she never referred to him as her dad, she treated him like one, even to the point of being embarrassed by him at the Yule ball. And of course, his little Edana, she would never be told that he and Cat weren’t her ‘real’ parents, not ever, it wasn’t the clan way. But he always made it a point to see to it that her ‘Uncle’ Paddy was included in every important decision and family event.

Scooping the feisty toddler up into the air, making her giggle as he pretended to give her a broom ride, he spun around the room, only to fall onto the sofa right next to Cat who was now shaking her head and laughing at them both. “You spoil them so badly” she sighed as she took Edana from him, smiling sweetly as the little girl curled up on what little lap she had left and rubbed her belly, talking gibberish to the baby.

“Come on, gra, look at her, how can I not spoil her.” he asked, grinning from ear to ear as Cat rolled her eyes and smirked. “Besides, the others haven’t turned out half bad, and I spoil them something horrible, don’t I kids?” he asked, winking at them as Harry and Calli laughed at him. They had heard this discussion far too many times to not know how it was going to end. Cat was the disciplinarian, she had grown up in a large family where discipline was almost as important as love. But he had been an only child with very few limits or expectations placed upon him. And it had greatly influenced their ideas on how to raise children.

But luckily, as always, they had come to an understanding. She was the mommy, what she said went. It was a lesson learned hard and fast the first time Calli had crossed over the line, he had been beside himself, wondering how to protect Calli, while teaching her that her behaviour wouldn’t be tolerated, but not Cat. She marched into Albus’s office with a glare in her eyes that could have melted stone, and Calli’s pretence of arrogant ease vanished immediately. Even the Weasly boys sat quietly as Cat laid into all those involved, it was a display that even Molly Weasley would have found inspiring. After the Goyle’s had slunk off to lick their wounds, both the physical ones Callia gave them, and the verbal ones Cat inflicted, everyone had thought the storm was over, at least everyone but Albus, who had pushed his chair as far away from Cat as he could without being conspicuous.

Then things really got interesting, by the time she was done with them, the three Weasley boys were red faced and verging on tears, Harry was pale as a ghost and Calli was sobbing, claiming she would never, ever use a sword against another student. To say the least they were all very contrite about what they had done. It was only later that night, after all the children had been sent back to the tower and she and Sirius were alone that she confided in him. Cat had hated to put on a display like that, but she was worried if she didn’t the kids would only take it further the next time, and then someone may well die. Calli had far too much experience with a sword to not be deadly, and Harry was learning very quickly, he was a natural just like Duncan was.

Sirius had almost dropped Edana as he listen to Cat. “You mean you aren’t honestly upset by what they did? It was all an act?!”

“Oh no, I’m very upset that it happened, but to be perfectly honest, I think what Calli did was right, and if we were in MY land, that boy would be luck to have escaped with his life once her uncles found out about it. But this isn’t my land or my world, and I have to play by there rules.”

Sirius jolted when he heard Cat calling his name. “Sorry, gra, just thinking of what a year its been” he smiled as he placed his hand on her belly, grinning like a fool as he felt the baby moving under his palm. “So, any names yet? You know, if it happens to be a girl.”

“You’re still insisting we name him Angus, aren’t you?” she teased, knowing very well that as far as Sirius was concerned the subject wasn’t even open for discussion. A point well proven as he raised an eyebrow at her, as if daring her to chose any other name BUT Angus. “Alright, alright… I’m thinking either Lily or Iris if it’s a girl.”

“Iris? Why on Earth would you name her Iris, … I mean, Lily I understand.” Sirius questioned, a bit shocked at the sudden divergence from the usual clan names.

“Well, Harry’s not that far away from having his own family.” Cat replied softly, and I may not want to use Lily, he would probably want to name his own child after his mother.”

Sirius nodded, “That I can understand, I honestly don’t think he’d mind, but I understand, My question is where did Iris come from? Have you been reading something…” he paused when he saw a strange smile cross her lips. “Gra?”

“You really have no idea, do you?” she asked tauntingly.

“My dear and loving wife, first of all, it’s cruel to tease me like this. Secondly, I learned a long time ago that its very painful to try and figure out the mind of a woman, and you in particular.” he laughed as she swatted playfully at him, making Edana giggle.

“I wanted to keep the whole flower thing, for Lily’s sake.” Cat explained, “and as I was writing down names, it occurred to me that Iris would be perfect,……” she paused as she waited for Sirius to ‘get’ it.

“Perfect……..how?” He felt himself blushing slightly as Cat stared at him, her eyes hinting that she thought she may have married an idiot.

“Siri…..Iris….Siri….Iris….”she stared at his blank expression for a few more seconds before slapping her palm to her forehead. “Gheez Louise, Black… Iris is Siri spelt backwards….”

“Ahhhh, okay… uhm…. Yeah.”

“Here, Mum.” Harry offered, “have some biscuits and chocolate milk…. It is still chocolate right? Or have your cravings changed again?”

“No, sweetie, the chocolate milk does seem to be the one constant.” she laughed as she accepted the glass from Harry, kissing his cheek as he took his little sister from her, giving her a horsey ride as she laughed happily.